A Survey of the Regeneration within a Native Pinewood, Coille Ruigh na
Cuileige, with Particular Reference to Ground Vegetation
In 1990, Paul Blanchflower, a student in the Department of Forestry at Edinburgh University, carried out research on the occurence of naturally-regenerating Scots pine seedlings at Coille Ruigh na Cuileige in Glen Affric, a few months before the area was deer-fenced in the first substantial forest restoration work carried out by Trees for Life in conjunction with Forest Enterprise there. This study therefore provides a very useful baseline of information about the status of Scots pine seedlings before the area was protected from overgrazing by red deer.
Here is the abstract of Paul's work, from his dissertation document:
Abstract
A survey of an area of native pinewood in Glen Affric was undertaken, with two aims in mind. The first was to asses the regenerative potential of the site as a whole, the second to compare the regeneration between differing vegetation types. The site was systematically surveyed and 38 permanent plots (200m²) were established. The vegetation in the plots were surveyed and then ascribed, via a dichotomous key, to a plot type (Bunce 1977). Other plot characteristics were also quantified. The regeneration was assessed in each plot by, counting the number of seedlings, measuring their heights, the height of the vegetation above them, their diameters, and the quantification of their needle health. After the survey was completed the site was stratified and random samples of 50 seedlings were taken from each plot types. These seedlings were then aged, and a foliar analysis was performed on their needles.
This site as a whole had a large number of seedlings the equivalent of 2,100 per hectare, however the regeneration was very variable. All of the seedlings were below the height of the vegetation, suggesting that grazing pressure is preventing the regeneration of the wood. The ages of the seedlings were evenly distributed up to 16 years old, with scattered plants up to the age of 27 years.
Of the plot types, 34 were ascribed to either of two plot types and subsequently the regeneration was compared between them. The comparison indicated that in one of the plot types there were a greater number of seedlings but these seedlings were of poorer health and consequently it was debatable if this apparent greater abundance of regeneration would be maintained after the site is fenced in May 1990.
Analysis of the results indicated that habitat structure and its consequences were one of the main factors effecting the early years of seedling life. Consequently the use of the vegetation as a means of assessing the regenerative potential of a site is valid, so long as the seedling population is established. If this is not the case then the distribution and fecundity of the seed trees is an additional factor that must be incorporated into the analysis.
Please see the summary of the follow-up study which was done on this site at Coille Ruigh na Cuileige in 1996.
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